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Louisiana Receives Grant from RWJF to Enhance Work to

Transform Health Carethrough Nursing

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Future of CertificationPage 5

Vol. 69 • No. 2 June 2013

Circulation 69,000 to all Registered & Licensed Practical Nurses in Louisiana

THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE LOUISIANA STATE NURSES ASSOCIATION

Inside

Inside this issue . . . .

Executive Director’s Message . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Thoughts on Stress . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Future of Nursing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Education . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Greenspace . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

2013 Nightingale . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-11

District News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Did You Know . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Louisiana RN License Plates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

61st Annual NSNA Convention . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Addressing Health Literacy . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14, 15

Save the Date

LSNA CruiseSailing Date: Thursday, November 7, 2013Return Date: Monday, November 11, 2013

New Orleans, LA to Cozumel, Mexico(Details inside or www.lsna.org under Important News!)

HALL OF FAME

Sheila Allen Sheila Allen continued on page 7

Nita Green

Marilyn Sullivan

Nita Green continued on page 7

Marilyn Sullivan continued on page 7

Sheila Allen received her BSN from Northwestern State University in Natchitoches and started her career at Baton Rouge General where she worked for 33 years in various perioperative nursing roles . As the RN First Assistant Role was developed, Sheila pursued additional study from Delaware County Community College in Pennsylvania to advance to this role . She has been an active member of the Association of Operating Room Nurses for more than 30 years, serving from chapter to national roles and offices . A prolific author, she has published articles, book chapters, and policy statements . Serving as national AORN president for 2001 and 2002, Sheila also became a frequent speaker nationally and internationally on mentoring, advocacy, professionalism, and perioperative topics . In 2003, she was the first American to present the

Mrs. Nita Green earned her Associate Degree from Louisiana Tech University in 1982, her BSN from Grambling State University in 1989, and her MSN from the University of Mississippi Medical Center in 1996 . While continuing her education, she also worked as a registered nurse, raised a family, and graduated with honors at every level . Nita joined her professional organization upon graduation from Louisiana Tech in 1982 and has been a continuous, faithful, and active member of the Ruston District Nurses Association, Louisiana State Nurses Association, and the American Nurses Association for over thirty years . She began her career at a 35-bed full service rural hospital . Her early evidence of clinical expertise and organization meant that she would often be tapped to accept a challenge to open a new department,

Dr. Marilyn Sullivan, the third Nightingale Hall of Fame inductee is another individual instrumental in stabilizing our organization through tough times and providing life-long leadership, mentoring and guidance through her many efforts .

Beginning her career as a diploma graduate from Mobil Infirmary School of Nursing, Marilyn continued her lifelong educational journey with a Bachelor’s from Southeastern Louisiana University, a Master’s in Community Health Nursing and Nursing Education from the University of Southern Mississippi and a Doctorate of Nursing Science from the University of Alabama at Birmingham . Additionally, she has achieved certifications as a Clinical Nurse Specialist in Medical-Surgical Nursing, Certified Legal Nurse Consultant,

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Board of DirectorsPresident . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . JACQUELINE HILLPresident-Elect . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CAROL TINGLEVice President . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . DIANE WEBBSecretary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PATRICIA LaBROSSETreasurer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . DEBRA SHELTON

Chairs of Committees and CouncilsResolutions and Bylaws . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . NORLyN HyDEHealth Policy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .LISA DEATONContinuing Education . . . . DEBRA SHELTON/NANCy DARLANDMembership . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . VICTORIA JOHNSONWorkplace Advocacy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . DEBORAH FORDClinical Practice Council . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . LESLIE NORMANEducation Council . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .CyNTHIA PRESTHOLDTLeadership/Management Council . . . . . . . . . MELISSA STEWARTResearch/Informatics Council . . . . . . . . SUSAN STEELE-MOSESImmediate Past President . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .DENISE DANNAStudent Representative . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .LEONARD D. JONES

District Presidents01 Alexandria. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . STACy MAyEUX02 Baton Rouge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . STACI ANDERSON03 Northshore . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . LIZ MCHUGH04 Lafayette . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . AFRICA BLACK-DAUPHINEy05 Lake Charles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ANETHA CRAFT06 Monroe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . EMILy DOUGHTy07 New Orleans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . MARIE ADORNO08 Ruston . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CAROL OWENS09 Winnfield . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . VACANT10 Shreveport . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . RENEE SOWELL11 Tangipahoa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CHARLES DyKES12 Bayou. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . VACANT13 Feliciana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . VACANT

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Acceptance of advertising does not imply endorsement or approval by the Louisiana State Nurses Association of products advertised, the advertisers, or the claims made. Rejection of an advertisement does not imply a product offered for advertising is without merit, or that the manufacturer lacks integrity, or that this association disapproves of the product or its use. LSNA and the Arthur L. Davis Publishing Agency, Inc. shall not be held liable for any consequences resulting from purchase or use of an advertiser’s product. Articles appearing in this publication express the opinions of the authors; they do not necessarily reflect views of the staff, board, or membership of LSNA or those of the national or local associations.

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LSNA Executive Director’s Message

Rita J. Finn

Rita J. Finn, RN, MSN, Executive Director

LSNA’s Annual Nurse Day and the biennial House of Delegates were held on April 26th and 27th at the Baton Rouge Marriott . Over three hundred and sixty Registered Nurses and nursing students from around the state were in attendance . The keynote speaker Dr . Jennifer Mensik, 2nd Vice-President of ANA spoke on the restructuring and changes taking place within ANA, Caulder Lynch, Health Policy Advisor, Department of Health and Hospitals discussed the healthcare reforms taking place in Louisiana, Randal Johnson, LSNA Lobbyist addressed legislative issues and Dr . Jackie Hill, Immediate Past President and I spoke on the developments taking place at LSNA . Following the Nurse Day agenda, the LSNA House of Delegates convened where the main item of business was the election of new members to serve on the LSNA board of directors . The unquestionable theme of both days can be summarized in one word, change .

So, I thought this would be a good time to share with you a piece written in 1975 on the philosophy of change that expresses some thoughtful and wise advice on negotiating change .

A PHILOSOPHY OF CHANGE TO GUDIE ORGANIZATIONAL IMPROVEMENT

Our own attitude toward change may be measured in terms of certain beliefs that are considered to be fundamental to the search for improvement . They include:

1 . The belief that it is change – with improvement – that enables the organization to be of service to its members in new and better ways;

2 . The belief that improvement in association operations cannot be left to chance – that it requires conscious and continuous attention;

3 . The belief that the development of new ideas and the embodiment of these ideas in practice are two

of the primary functions of management at all levels;

4 . The belief that there is always a better way;5 . The belief that quality assurance principles and

techniques can be applied in any area of the association wherever there is activity;

6 . The belief that an open-minded attitude, the willingness to challenge custom and try new ideas, is essential to growth and progress;

7 . The belief that an improvement for the future is not to be viewed as criticism of the past;

8 . The belief that the people doing the job are capable of making contributions to the improvement of the job, and therefore should be consulted; and

9 . The belief that a point of view that considers the good of the entire organization rather than any one department or individual is essential in the development of organizational improvements .

The extent to which we hold and practice these beliefs is a test of our individual capacity for change . It is also a measure of our ability to effect improvements through the use of critical thinking and problem-solving techniques . In short, there is no magic in these techniques . Rather, the magic is in believing that changing things for the better is a goal worthy of our best efforts .

Adapted from: A . Bennett, M . Methods Improvements in Hospitals, New York; Preston Publishing Co ., Inc . 1975

June, July, August 2013 Pelican News •

Thoughts on Stress –From the Heart of a Nurse

by Gail Crawford, MSN, RNAssistant Professor of Nursing

Louisiana Tech University

How often do we as nurses experience change? For this nurse, change, also known as stress, has recently presented in tiny waves on some days, and on other days the changes are akin to that of a Louisiana hurricane . Change is stressful . We know that . For me, my physical location in a home, my city, my professional employment, church and last name changed . My brain makeup was missing the “sense of direction” that many have . I was lost, often . Colleagues were supportive . I was pointed (and sometimes guided to) student services, the driver’s license bureau, human resources, and the market . One way streets were frustrating . Classroom equipment, computer programs and the University (though well oriented to same) was new . Simultaneously there was emotional, physical, social and economic change . There were so many things that mattered to me; I wanted to “get it right .” Each day I felt I was tossed about by continuing waves of change .

I should have anticipated depletion of my physical and mental reserve capacity . Even though I was a willing participant in the changes I was experiencing, sleepless nights, and the enormous energy it takes to concentrate drained me . My health status was vulnerable .

For a nurse whose health history includes two cardiac stents, I recognized that using methods of stress relief needed to become more of a priority . Thus, I listed what was stressful to me and in so doing, chose coping mechanisms that worked for me . I recognized and reminded myself that “this too shall pass” in time . I looked

for chances to laugh more . Music therapy, progressive relaxation, walks taken alone helped . I began to take frequent deep breaths and close my eyes to imagine the mountains or beach . My office became a haven – calm colors, soft jazz played in the background, an area rug that added to the calm of the room . I let some things go – so hard for a nurse who had a lifelong goal to be an overachiever . Each day I purposefully chose to distance myself from what I did not need to participate in and chose to re-interpret events to be joyful . I looked at myself through the eyes of a nurse providing holistic care . Except this time, I was the patient . Gradually many of the changes I adjusted to, some I will continue to work on . I feel a deeper calm and presence overall, which is a better me .

As nurses, we are skilled at assessing, planning, implementing and evaluating our patients . The questions I pose however are these . Am I being all I can or want to be? Is the best self I can present today available for patient care, for the student, for my colleagues? If not, why? Am I taking care of myself as well as I provide care for others? Do I recognize that I need to de-escalate after the intensity of a crisis event? Do I have the reserve strength to say – “No, I am unable to … . . .”

Caring is what we do…for our families, patients, and our students . As nurses we care .

For this nurse, a goal this year is to better care for me . As I learn to do so, I believe I will have more of my best self to give . If the reader identifies with these thoughts, further reading on this subject may be found at: http://www .nursingworld .org/MainMenuCategories/WorkplaceSafety/Healthy-Nurse

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Future of NursingLouisiana Receives Grant from Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

to Enhance Work to Transform Health Care through Nursing[Baton Rouge, La]—The Robert Wood Johnson

Foundation (RWJF) has announced that the Louisiana Action Coalition is one of only 20 states to be part of a new $3 million initiative, the Future of Nursing State Implementation Program. The program is designed to help states prepare the nursing profession to address our nation’s most pressing health care challenges—access, quality, and cost .

The program bolsters efforts already underway in 50 states and the District of Columbia—the Future of Nursing: Campaign for Action—to transform health care through nursing and meet the challenges stemming from an aging and more diverse population . A joint initiative of AARP and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the Campaign for Action is working to implement the Institute of Medicine’s (IOM) evidence-based recommendations on the future of nursing . The Campaign provides a voice and a vehicle for nurses at all levels to lead system change to improve care for patients and families by collaborating with business, consumer, and other health professional organizations .

“This grant is designed to spur progress in Louisiana, which already is doing impressive work to transform nursing education, practice, and leadership,” said Susan B . Hassmiller, PhD, RN, FAAN, RWJF senior adviser for nursing and director of the Future of Nursing: Campaign for Action. “The Foundation is committed to helping states build a more highly educated, diverse nursing workforce that will improve health outcomes for patients, families, and communities .”

The initiative will provide a $150,000 two-year grant to the Louisiana Action Coalition which is matched by a $150,000 grant from The Rapides Foundation, a health legacy foundation based in Central Louisiana . Grants were announced in 19 other states: Colorado Maryland Rhode Island Connecticut Michigan Tennessee Florida Missouri Utah Georgia Mississippi Wisconsin Iowa Nebraska Wyoming Idaho New Jersey Kansas Pennsylvania

“Our focus on meaningful outcomes that will truly transform health care in Louisiana was a key factor in being selected,” said Cynthia Bienemy, Louisiana Action Coalition, co-lead, and Director of the Louisiana Center for Nursing . “We are part of an innovative movement working to shape the future of health care for all Americans . The Louisiana Action Coalition is grateful for this support, which will strengthen our work .”

Denise Bottcher, Louisiana Action Coalition co-lead and Communications Director of AARP Louisiana, noted that the Action Coalition plans to focus on advancing the capacity of Advanced-Practice Registered Nurses (APRN) to meet the health care needs of Louisiana residents .

The Center to Champion Nursing in America (CCNA), an initiative of AARP, the AARP Foundation and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, serves as the national program office for the Future of Nursing State Implementation Program .

“This new program will help Action Coalitions get the strategic and technical support required to advance their goals,” said Susan Reinhard, PhD, RN, FAAN, senior vice president of the AARP Public Policy Institute and CCNA chief strategist . “Our hope is that with this support Louisiana will be even more effective in improving health outcomes for patients, families, and communities .”

About the Future of Nursing: campaign for ActionLouisiana Action Coalition is part of the Future of Nursing:

Campaign for Action, a joint initiative of AARP and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF), working to implement the Institute of Medicine’s evidence-based recommendations on the future of nursing. The Campaign includes Action Coalitions in 50 states and the District of Columbia and a wide range of health care professionals, consumer advocates, policy-makers, and the business, academic, and philanthropic communities.

The Center to Champion Nursing in America, an initiative of AARP, the AARP Foundation and RWJF, serves as the coordinating entity for the Campaign, as well as the national program office for the Future of Nursing State Implementation Program. Learn more at www.campaignforaction.org.

About the Robert wood Johnson FoundationThe Robert Wood Johnson Foundation focuses on the

pressing health and health care issues facing our country. As the nation’s largest philanthropy devoted exclusively to health and health care, the Foundation works with a diverse group of organizations and individuals to identify solutions and achieve comprehensive, measurable, and timely change. For 40 years the Foundation has brought experience, commitment, and a rigorous, balanced approach to the problems that affect the health and health care of those it serves. When it comes to helping Americans lead healthier lives and get the care they need, the Foundation expects to make a difference in your lifetime. Follow the Foundation on Twitter (www.rwjf.org/twitter) or Facebook (www.rwjf.org/facebook).

About AARPAARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, with a

membership of more than 37 million, that helps people turn their goals and dreams into real possibilities, strengthens communities and fights for the issues that matter most to families such as healthcare, employment security and retirement planning. We advocate for consumers in the marketplace by selecting products and services of high quality and value to carry the AARP name as well as help our members obtain discounts on a wide range of products, travel, and services. A trusted source for lifestyle tips, news and educational information, AARP produces AARP The Magazine, the world’s largest circulation magazine; AARP Bulletin; www.aarp.org; AARP TV & Radio; AARP Books; and AARP VIVA, a bilingual news source. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to political campaigns or candidates. The AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides security, protection, and empowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors. AARP has staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Learn more at www.aarp.org

Registered Nurse Graduates in Louisiana Are Able to Find Employment: Results from the Louisiana Center for Nursing New Graduate Survey

Dr. Cynthia Bienemy, Director,Louisiana Center for Nursing

Employment of Registered Nurses (RNs) is expected to grow 26% from 2010 to 2020, faster than the average for all occupations according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2012) . Much of this projected growth is due to technological advancements, an increased emphasis on preventative care, and the large, aging baby-boomer population that will demand more healthcare services as they live longer lives . In addition, there could be up to 32 million individuals added to the health care insurance rosters as a result of the implementation of the Affordable Care Act which will require a substantial increase in the need for primary care services (The Institute of Medicine Report on the Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health, 2011) . In spite of this impressive occupational outlook for RNs, there have been reports across various regions of the U . S . that employment opportunities for new RN graduates are not as plentiful, and in some areas finding a position as a newly licensed RN can be challenging to say the least (American Association of Colleges of Nursing, 2011; Terry & Whitman, 2011) .

A report released by the Louisiana Center for Nursing (LCN) entitled New Graduate Survey: Finding Employment in Louisiana as a Newly Licensed RN (2013), revealed that 94% of the 1,137 newly licensed registered nurses (RNs) that responded to the LCN New Graduate Survey were able to find employment as an RN . This is very exciting news for Louisiana in that national and regional level reports have indicated that entry-level RNs are having difficulty finding employment . Findings from the national survey of new RN graduates conducted by Dr . Diane Mancino, Executive Director of the National Student Nurses Association, showed that there was a 74% employment rate for new RN graduates in the Southern region of the U .S ., which represents the highest employment rate for new RN graduates when compared to other regions of the country (2013) . According to Mancino (2013), “regional unemployment of new RNs is most pronounced in western states (45%), whereas, in the central states, the rate is 27% unemployed” (p .3) .

Findings from the New Graduate Survey revealed that although the vast majority of newly licensed RNs responding to the survey were able to find employment in Louisiana, over a third indicated they were faced with significant challenges when seeking employment,

many of which were attributable to employers filling positions with experienced nurses, older nurses that were not retiring, hiring freezes, and in some cases hospitals closing departments, all resulting in a decreased number of positions available for new graduates . The majority of the respondents to the survey found employment within the first six months after graduation, yet it took some of the newly licensed RNs up to 9 months, and still others greater than 12 months to find initial employment as an RN .

Further analysis of the data obtained with the New RN Graduate Survey revealed statistically significant differences between new RN graduates from Associate Degree (AD) programs and Baccalaureate (BSN) programs on the following variables: 1) the percentage that were educated in Louisiana; 2) age; 3) employment setting; and 4) length of time to find initial employment .

Two major recommendations derived from the report focus on developing community-based partnerships between nurse employers and nurse educators to formulate nurse residency programs in acute care settings as well as other specialty areas such as long-term care, to prepare new RNs to safely transition into these practice settings .

RN Graduates in Louisiana continued on page 5


Future of Nursing

Secondly, universities and community colleges will need to create partnerships that will allow for seamless transition from one level of education to the next (Diploma and AD to BSN, Masters’ and Doctoral) .

Findings obtained from the New Graduate Survey will be shared with health care workforce policy makers, legislators, employers, educators, and other stakeholders that have a vested interest in assuring that Louisiana has an adequate workforce that is prepared to administer high quality, safe, efficient, patient-centered health care to Louisiana’s citizens now and in the future .

For more information on the New Graduate Survey: Finding Employment in Louisiana as a Newly Licensed RN, please contact Dr . Cynthia Bienemy at the Louisiana Center for Nursing, lcn@lsbn .state .la .us . The report in its entirety can be found at the following link: http://lcn .lsbn .state .la .us/Portals/0/Documents/NewGradSurveyFinal_2-4-2013 .pdf .

ReferencesAmerican Association of Colleges of Nursing (2011) .

Employment of new nurse graduates and employer preferences for baccalaureate-prepared nurses . Retrieved from http://www .aacn .nche .edu/leading_initiatives_news/news/2011/employment11

Bureau of Labor Statistics, U .S . Department of Labor (2012) . Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2012-13 Edition, Registered Nurses . Retrieved from http://www .bls .gov/ooh/healthcare/registered-nurses .htm .

Mancino, D . J . (2013) . Recalculating: The “nursing shortage” needs new direction . Deans’s Notes, 34(3), 1-3 .

Terry, A . J . and Whitman, M . V . (2011) . Impact of the economic downturn on nursing schools . Nursing Economics, 29(5), 252-264 .

The Institute of Medicine Report on the Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health (2011) . Washington, DC: The National Academies Press .

RN Graduates in Louisiana continued from page 4

Education

Future of CertificationDr. Debra Shelton, EdD, APRN-CNS, OCN,

NE-BC, CNEAssociate Professor, Northwestern State

University, Shreveport, LA

March 19 was established as Certified Nurses DayTM

in 2008 when the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and the American Nurses Association (ANA) collaborated to create Certified Nurses Day . They garnered support from leading nursing organizations and governments including the U Congress and 70 nursing organizations participated by signing a proclamation and the sponsorship of annual events . Certified Nurses Day™ has become an annual day of recognition for and by healthcare leaders dedicated to nursing professionalism, excellence, recognition, and service . Since then the coalition now includes organizations such as certification boards, accreditation bodies, licensing agencies, nursing associations, education facilities, and healthcare providers like hospitals, medical centers, and primary care providers . The date was selected because March 19 is the birthday of Margreta ‘Gretta’ Madden Styles, the renowned expert of nurse credentialing . An accomplished advocate for nursing standards and certification, for more than two decades Styles advanced nursing practice and regulation worldwide .

Nurses Day™ occurs every March 19, the birthday of Dr . Margretta “Gretta” Madden Styles, RN, EdD,

FAAN, one of the greatest leaders in the field of nursing certification . She recognized the critical importance of credentialing before broad awareness of its value and her work created global impact on the nursing profession . Dr . Styles conducted the first comprehensive study of nurse credentialing in the 1970s . She then pioneered the development and implementation of standards and credentials for nurses . In the 1980s, she spearheaded the definitive work of the International Council of Nurses (ICN) on nursing regulation . A driving force behind the creation of the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), Dr . Styles advanced nurse certification services and programs across the US and abroad . She is the only nurse to serve as president of the ICN, ANCC, and American Nurses Association, and the California Board of Registered Nursing . She was also dean and professor of the University of Texas School of Nursing, San Antonio; Wayne State University, Detroit; and the University of California, San Francisco . She was a fellow of the American Academy of Nursing, the Institute of Medicine, and the Royal College of Nursing of the United Kingdom . In May 2006, ICN recognized her for her worldwide contributions with the award of the Christiane Reimann Prize, the profession’s most prestigious international honor . (www .certifiednursesday .org)

Certification is a voluntary designation earned by an individual who demonstrates an exceptional level of competency, skill, and knowledge in their field . Another definition is the “the formal recognition of the specialized knowledge, skills, and experience demonstrated by the achievement of standards identified by a nursing specialty to promote optimal health outcomes” (Accreditation Board for Specialty Organization) . After meeting defined eligibility criteria, a certification candidate achieves a nationally recognized credential through successful completion of an examination or portfolio development . The American Nurses Credential Center is one organization that provides certification for Nurse

Practitioners, Clinical Nurses Specialists and other nursing specialties . Other organizations such as the American Association for Critical Care Nurses, Oncology Nursing Society, Emergency Nurses Association, and the National League for Nursing provide a certification program .

Why become certified? The last decade nursing has seen several changes and initiatives about nursing and healthcare . An IOM report stated that nurses and other health professionals are not being adequately prepared to provide high quality and safe medical care . Quality and safety are now buzz words in nursing education and practice . Certification can assist students and professionals to develop and maintain proficiency in their specialty . Nursing must be prepared to deliver patient centered-care, work as part of interdisciplinary team, practice evidence based medicine and nursing, focus on quality improvement and to use information technology . Nurses need to refocus critical thinking to clinical reasoning . And, nurses must focus on continuous life-long learning .

• Certification tells your patients that you have achieved a level of excellence in your practice .

• Certification demonstrates your commitment to nursing and your patients .

• Certification demonstrates expertise.• Certification takes time and requires a level of

dedication and self-fulfillment .• Certification influences patient outcomes.

Research has shown favorable patient outcomes when cared for by certified nurses .

This past March, one organization honored their Certified Nurses . The Overton Brooks V . A . Medical Center in Shreveport, LA . On March 19, a luncheon was held to honor the over 75 nurses that have achieved certification . I was asked to address the nurses and spoke on the Future of Certification in the V . A . I discussed how the Office of Nursing Strategic Plan has incorporated certification in the plan and certifications impact our profession and the impact on patient care .

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Greenspace

Externalizing Industry Costs Increases Nursing WorkloadsBy Mary Margaret Thomas, RN, MSN

The Gulf Coast produces approximately 30% of our country’s crude oil, roughly 20% of the country’s natural gas production, and its infrastructure represents 50% of the U .S . refining capacity . But is there any way to realistically quantify how these successful industries may be inadvertently externalizing costs onto the health of our children?

As an environmental health nurse working with other nurses and interdisciplinary teams across the U .S ., I’ve learned that creative solutions are being implemented to address these quantitative quandaries . Although priorities differ by region when addressing environmental health, Louisiana advocates and nurses in particular have been acutely resourceful and resilient in working to improve environmental health and safety .

Columbia University’s Center for Disaster Preparedness recently released their report Children’s Health After the Oil Spill: A Four-State Study. From April until August 2012, surveys were conducted from the four impacted Gulf States to measure physical and mental health impacts from the B .P . Oil Spill; 887 responses were collected from Louisiana residents . Although participants could not exclusively link the spill as the root cause, health effects to children were still significant two years later: 18 .1% had breathing problems, 14 .8% had skin dermatologic effects, 16 .0% reported visual problems, and 21 .6% reported emotional or behavioral effects . The surveys recount personal stories of families driving hours to access health care for their children, particularly those in Grand Isle where exposures were the most acute and health care providers the least accessible (Abramson, et al ., 2013) .

Despite the continued spotlight on public health in the Gulf after the B .P . Oil Spill, significant environmental catastrophes continue to threaten the health of Louisiana residents, particularly children, who are more physiologically vulnerable to exposures than adults . The leak from ExxonMobil Chalmette Refinery on April 3, 2013 resulted in hundreds of residents contacting the Coast Guard, stating they smelled burning tires and oil . ExxonMobil originally estimated releasing 100 pounds of hydrogen sulfide and 10 pounds of benzene, the minimum amount required for a report . Hydrogen sulfide is linked to eye irritation, headache, fatigue, and potential respiratory problems for asthmatics; benzene is a volatile organic chemical, known carcinogen, and may affect the hematological, immunological, and neurological systems (ATSDR, 2012) . ExxonMobil later released a report noting that an unknown amount of wastewater had leaked from the refinery but made no mention of chemicals or quantities spilt . (NRC Report, 2013) .

Luckily local environmental health advocacy organizations like the Louisiana Bucket Brigade (LABB) were quick to respond . Using collective input and creative enterprise, LABB now empowers community members with user-friendly tools such as their EPA-approved “bucket” to sample air quality and capture emission data as well as their real time “iWitness Pollution Map”, a GIS tracking system that allows residents to report health complaints and locations directly . The Bucket Brigade released a Rapid Response team to Algiers on April 4th, the day after the Chalmette spill, and reported that approximately 50% of the 100 people surveyed had symptoms they linked to the spill: 28 (25%) – respiratory irritation, 22 (20%) nausea, 19 (17%)- headaches, and 10 (9%)- eye irritation . Of these only two visited their doctor, and others purchased over the counter medication to treat symptoms . Organizations such as the Louisiana Bucket Brigade demonstrate the essence of environmental and public health advocacy, and they consistently need nurses

to be working with them, to conduct health histories and communicate with patients for treatment and referral .

Although disease burdens and environmental health priorities vary by region across the U .S ., chronic diseases such as asthma, which may be exacerbated by events such as refinery spills, are on the rise nationally:

• One-sixth of U.S. households have someone with asthma (NIH, 2011)

• It is the most common chronic pediatric condition with 7 .1 million children in the U .S . suffering from asthma (9 .5%) (ALA, 2010)

• It is the #1 cause of school absenteeism (36,000 kids per day) (ALA, 2010)

Katie Huffling, RN, MS, CNM, is the Director of Programs for the Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments (ANHE) and a consistent source of support to our work in the Health Care Without Harm Nurses Workgroup . She provided rule-making commentary to the Environmental Protection Agency last summer on their first carbon pollution standard for new power plants . Katie understands the inextricable links between air quality and chronic disease, urging nurses to advocate for primary prevention: “As nurses, we need to be aware of how air pollution can be negatively impacting our clients’ health . Pregnant women, children, and the elderly are the most sensitive to the harmful impacts of poor air quality . It’s imperative that nurses know how to assess for these health effects and be able to provide anticipatory guidance .”

In 1990 amendments made to The Clean Air Act required the EPA to conduct periodic assessments using dose-response data from literature to estimate costs and benefits of the Clean Air Act . They estimated that from 1970 until 1990, the Act reduced total air particulate matter by 45%; modeling strategies illustrate that this has prevented 184,000 premature deaths, 674 cases of chronic bronchitis, 850,000 acute asthma attacks, and other outcomes, to the tune of 22 .2 trillion dollars in health care savings over 20 years (Lockwood, 2012) . What would a cost benefit analysis of industry air quality standards in Louisiana look like?

In 1992 the International Council of Nurses (ICN) stated: “The concern of nurses is for people’s health—its promotion, its maintenance, its restoration . The healthy lives of people depend ultimately on the health of Planet Earth—its soil, its water, its oceans, its atmosphere, its biological diversity—all of the elements which constitute people’s natural environment . By extension, therefore, nurses need to be concerned with the promotion, maintenance and restoration of health of the natural environment, particularly with the pollution, degradation and destruction of that environment .” (ICN, 1992) . Shortly thereafter, the American Nurses Association (ANA) adopted The Precautionary Principle of Environmental Health Nursing which states, “When an activity raises threats of harm to human health or the environment, precautionary measures should be taken even if some cause and effect relationships are not fully established scientifically” (Wingspread, 1998) . Today the incorporation of this policy includes ten “Principles of Environmental Health for Nursing Practice”, ranging from active assessment of the quality of the environments where nurses work and live as well as participating in advocacy and best practices which promote safety and health (ANA, 2007) .

I remember my first reaction when reading the principles as a nursing student: “Nurses already carry the world on their shoulders . Many barely have time to finish charting . Now they’re expected to research things like air quality standards in their spare time?” Well yes, but the good news is we have ample support at our disposal,

and our work will ultimately protect nurses on the job and prevent disease . Plus, it is empowering when nurses participate in issues they are passionate about; it could be a focused project in the hospital, such as advocating for safer cleaning products . Nurses and nurse aids have the second highest rates of occupational asthma second only to janitors (Rosenman et al ., 2003) . Visit http://www .noharm .org/all_regions/issues/toxins/cleaners_pesticides/ for resources .

Ample free resources and support are available both nationally and locally . The Louisiana Bucket Brigade has successfully promoted environmental justice since its inception in 2000, and Dr . Mark Mitchell from the National Medical Association is working with communities around Lake Charles to offer free environmental health medical trainings in 2013 . The Health Care Without Harm Nurses Workgroup and ANHE connect interested nurses to resources and contacts all over the country on a daily basis . Nursing is the most respected profession in the country . When we work together with the goal of not only treating but preventing disease, there is no limit to what we can achieve .

For more information please visit www.noharm.org/us_canada/nurses/ or email [email protected]. For information on the Louisiana Bucket Brigade, please visit www.labucketbrigade.org/

Resources

Abramson, D . M ., et al . (2013) Children’s Health After the Oil Spill: A Four-State Study. Columbia University National Center for Disaster Preparedness . Retrieved online: NCDP_ Briefingre port_Feb21 _Web .pdf

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (Updated 2012) . ATSDR Toxic Substances Portal. Retrieved online: http://www .atsdr .cdc .gov/substances/index .asp

American Lung Association . (February 2010) . Asthma Facts . Retrieved online: http://www .lungusa .org/lung-disease/asthma/resources/facts-and-fibures/asthma-in-adults .html

American Nurses Association (2007) ANA’s Principles of Environmental Health for Nursing Practice with Implementation Strategies. Retrieved online: http://www .nursingworld .org/principles

National Institutes of Health & Perkins + Will (July 2011) Healthy Environments: A Compilation of Substances Linked to Asthma . Retrieved online: nems .nih .gov/Sustainability/ . . ./NIH%20Asthma%20Report .pdf

National Response Center (2013, April 3) . Incident Report #1042781. Retrieved online: http://www .nrc .uscg .mil/reports/rwservlet?standard_web+inc_seq=1042781

Lockwood, A . (2012, September 7) . How the Clean Air Act Has Saved Trillion in Health-Care Costs . The Atlantic. Retrieved online: http://www .theatlantic .com/health/archive/2012/09/how-the-clean-air-act-has-saved-22-trillion-in-health-care-costs/262071/

Rosenman, K .D ., et al . (2003) . Cleaning products and work-related asthma . Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. 45(5): 556-563 . Retrieved from http://www .ncbi .nlm .nih .gov/pubmed/12762081

Wingspread Conference on the Precautionary Principle (1998, January 26) . Retrieved from Science & Environmental Health Network: http://www .sehn .org/wing .html

World Health Organization (1992) . Our planet, our health: Report of the WHO commissions on health and the environment. Retrieved online: www .who .int/globalchange/ . . ./reports/health


Daisy Ayris Lecture for the Association of Perioperative Practitioners in the United Kingdom and served as Secretary for the International Federation of Perioperative Nurses from 2001 – 2007 . Sheila was publicly recognized by Dr . Eugene Berry, a pioneer in cardiothoracic surgery as instrumental to his achievements and contributions to cardiothoracic outcomes for patients in Louisiana . With all of her knowledge, experience, achievements, and talents, Sheila remains committed to mentoring current and future nurses .

In her own words on mentoring, Sheila says:“Our obligation as nurses and perioperative nurses is

to share what we know—to “pay it forward” as it were, to our profession and to the communities in which we live . We can do this in many ways: by writing, speaking, and serving as preceptors to new nurses . By sharing what we know, we encourage and role model patient care and an ongoing pursuit of excellence . The impact to the profession is that those we mentor then care for patients based on the formal and informal education, their experiential knowledge, and their intuitive, cognitive reasoning .

By supporting, encouraging, and demonstrating a commitment to life-long learning we help to provide future patients with highly qualified nursing professionals who employ their minds, hearts, and hands to improve patient outcomes . These young professionals continuously employ their critical thinking skills and their perioperative knowledge to improve the perioperative practice in facilities where they practice . These young nurses utilize tools such as checklists and timeouts, synthesizing with standards and recommended practices, to provide patients with safe, efficient care during the surgical procedures .

The most rewarding part of mentoring is the knowledge that these perioperative nurses will do the same for others someday, passing along the ethics and intangible components of providing real care for patients at this critical juncture in their life’s journey .”

Sheila’s continuing work and legacy will be contributions to perioperative nursing, serving as a patient advocate, demonstrating lifelong learning, encouraging others to consider the nursing profession, and mentoring generations of new and future nurses . We are honored to acknowledge Sheila Allen as a 2013 Nightingale Hall of Fame Inductee .

Sheila Allen continued from page 1

manage greater responsibilities, and ensure quality outcomes without fail .

In the 90’s Mrs . Green was hired as Director of Nursing at North Louisiana Rehabilitation Hospital, a 90-bed facility . While there, she developed a nursing model which reduced utilization of agency nurses by 95% and increased the quality of care to the clients . As part of a national hospital group, in 1996, she was the recipient of the “Director of Nursing of the Year” for the Eastern Division of the company . The award was based on quality of client care, employee satisfaction, and cost containment .

After receiving her Master’s degree, she turned to the worked of academia . In 1999, she became Assistant Professor of Nursing at Louisiana Tech . She again assumed many leadership roles and chaired committees, and provided innovation within the department . While at Louisiana Tech, she was nominated for the coveted “Virgil Orr, Junior Faculty Award .” Of all the accolades Nita Green has received, and there are many more than we will cover here tonight, she personally acknowledges that the 1996 Distinguished Alumnus Award from Louisiana Tech is the one most dear to her . This award is given to an alumnus of the College of Life Sciences, now the College of Applied Natural Sciences, who has displayed exemplary leadership and has been a strong advocate for the Division of Nursing at Louisiana Tech .

In 2001, Mrs . Green was contacted by the Dean of the Health and Natural Sciences Department at South Arkansas Community College in El Dorado, Arkansas who had heard of her reputation and needed a director for his nursing programs . Now, even though the program is in

Nita Green continued from page 1

Arkansas, as a border town, at least 25% of their graduates live and work in Louisiana . She accepted the position and was told that the office, the faculty, the NCLEX pass rate, and the curriculum would have to be completely reorganized . When she retired in 2011, NCLEX pass rate was 95%, faculty members were focused and engaged, the program was modernized and even housed in a brand new building which she helped design to afford an optimal learning environment for student nurses . Additionally, grant money had been secured to add a practical nursing program . Nita’s work was again beyond what others could imagine and an example of her talents and commitment .

These accomplishments, represented Mrs . Green’s “day job,” if you will! As stated earlier, she has been active in our professional organization since 1982 . At the district level in Ruston, she was elected to the Board of Directors, served as Secretary, Vice President, and then as President . She faithfully attended Nurse Days at the Legislature, served as a delegate at numerous House of Delegates, met state officers and chairpersons, and work to learn the processes of the State Nurses Association . She made contacts with legislators, wrote letters, and followed important nursing and health care issues . In 1999, Mrs . Green was elected to her first role at the state level, Second Vice President .

Mrs . Nita Green is an honorable candidate for the Hall of Fame . She has demonstrated leadership in nursing practice, education, and within the professional organization . She has served her community and is always ready to volunteer her talents and service .

Certified patient Educator, and Community Faith Nurse . Marilyn has numerous publications nationally and internationally on patient related topics, as well as mentoring . Further, she is an experienced presenter on topics related to clinical issues such as diabetes and Alzheimer’s, quality care, healthcare financing, delegation, empowerment, and preceptorship activities .

Dr . Sullivan’s professional career has included military service in the U .S . Army Nurse Corps Reserves where she achieved the rank of Captain, as well as general hospitals and clinics working in orthopedics, neurology, Emergency Room, Intensive Care Unit, Home Health, and medical offices . She has worked in roles from staff nurse to charge nurse, Head Nurse, Nursing Supervisor, Assistant Director of Nursing, and Director of Nursing primarily in the New Orleans and Northshore areas . Additionally, she entered nursing education as a clinical instructor and continued to become an Assistant Professor and Associate Professor at William Carey College in New Orleans . Between 2004 and 2006, Marilyn joined the faculty at Our Lady of the Lake College and advanced from Associate Professor to MSN Program Director, later stepping back to pursue other interests but remaining as adjunct faculty .

Always active in our professional organization at the district, state, and national level, Marilyn has served the Northshore District as a Board member, secretary, treasurer, president-elect, and President – being elected to the office of District President for three separate terms, in three different decades . Marilyn’s staying power was also demonstrated at the state level, as she served as a state and national delegate to these respective House of Delegates for more than ten house sessions . Marilyn was the first Louisiana nurse to serve in a national office at the American Nurses Association when she served as Treasurer from 2008 to 2010 . Additionally she served as chairperson of the ANA Employee Retirement Fund, the Products and Services Advisory Committee, and working with the Center for American Nursing . At the Louisiana State Nurses Association, Dr . Sullivan’s service during

Marilyn Sullivan continued from page 1

the past four decades has included work with the Program Committee, Managerial Task Force, Finance Committee, Community Health Conference Group Chair, Nursing Education Commission, President-Elect, President, Treasurer, and Newspaper Editor .

Dr . Sullivan has helped to develop a number of programs which have impacted nursing and healthcare . As a founding member of the New Orleans Healthcare consortium, she served on the Executive Board and was Chairperson of the Curriculum and Articulation Committee . The work of this group promoted and conducted activities and healthcare fairs to high school students and coordinated traineeships with hospitals and healthcare organizations to expose students to healthcare professions . She served on a steering committee that developed an Alzheimer’s Day Care Center in Slidell . This included acquiring funding, securing licensure, finding volunteer staff, hiring a full-time nurse and getting the program operational to provide care for these clients and respite care for their caregivers . As Director of Nursing at a new long-term acute care hospital, she lead the respiratory and nursing staff in developing policies that assisted in the hospital receiving full accreditation . She developed MSN programs at William Carey College and Our Lady of the Lake that led to state board of nursing approval and National League for Nursing accreditation . As a parish nurse for her church, she created the first Health Ministry program in the New Orleans area, United Methodist Church District .

Dr . Sullivan is the epitome of professional nursing; she has demonstrated leadership throughout her nursing career in the areas of education, nursing practice, economics, and literature . Despite retirement, she has remained involved in her community and the nursing association . Marilyn is the personification of a leader, mentor, and role model for those entering and continuing their nursing career .

We are grateful for the service, commitment, and dedication of Dr . Marilyn Sullivan and honor her accomplishments with her induction into the 2013 Nightingale Hall of Fame .

225-383-3796email: [email protected]

website: www.kcwlaw.com*Certified in Health Care Compliance by the Health Care Compliance Association.

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Nurses and Licensed Practical Nurses

Chad A. Sullivan, RN, JD, CHC*Keogh, Cox & Wilson, LTD.


2013 NightingaleThe Nursing Community Honors Its Own. Louisiana Nurses Foundation Announces Nightingale Recipients, Awards of Quality

Service in the Nursing ProfessionBATON ROUGE, LA .—On Saturday, February 16,

2013, the Louisiana Nurses Foundation hosted its twelfth Annual Nightingale Awards Program . The event was attended by over 380 nurses, proud family members, co-workers and healthcare workers . Over 60 Registered Nurses representing a variety of healthcare institutions and schools of nursing were honored . The emcee of the event this year was Katheryn Arterberry, Family Nurse Practitioner and serves as nursing faculty at Northwestern State University in Shreveport .

Featuring a night to shine, dress up, and have dinner, The Nightingale Awards ceremony is a special time when the nursing profession honors its own . The program is the “academy awards” of nursing and health care which recognizes quality service, commitment, and excellence for Registered Nurses in the state of Louisiana .

The Louisiana Nurses Foundation and Louisiana State Nurses Association wishes to thank the sponsors of this event for making the 2013 Nightingale Awards program such a successful event . The following were this year’s sponsors:

• OurLadyoftheLakeRegionalMedicalCenter,Baton Rouge

• Baton Rouge General Medical Center, BatonRouge

• LaneRegionalMedicalCenter,Zachary• GiaKosmitisLawOffices,Shreveport• LSU HEALTH NEW ORLEANS HEALTH

SCIENCECENTER,SCHOOLOFNURSING• LouisianaHealthcareConnections• The NeuroMedical Center Surgical Hospital,

Baton Rouge• AmericanAudioVisual,LLC,BatonRouge• CleveBrownPhotography,BatonRouge

The nominations in each category are reviewed by out of state judges—nursing leaders throughout the country . The Louisiana Nurses Foundation and Louisiana State Nurses Association wishes to acknowledge and thank this esteemed panel of judges for their assistance . Without the support and participation from these judges the event could not be possible . They are:

• Susan Burnsted, MN, RN, Assistant Chief Nursing Officer, Via Christi Behavioral Health Center

• Ernest Grant, RN, MSN, FAAN, Director of Outreach and Prevention, N .C . Jaycee Burn Center, UNC Hospitals

• Gayle Harrell, MSN, NP-C, CWCN, President, Mississippi State Nurses Association

• Kathleen Kaufman, MS, RN, President, Utah State Nurses Association

• Winifred Kennedy, MSN, RN, PMH-CN, BC, President, New York State Nurses Association

• Jane Nelson, CAE, Executive Director, Oklahoma State Nurses Association

• Donna Policastro, APRN, CNP, Executive Director, Rhode Island State Nurses Association

• Ellarene Duis Sanders, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, Interim Director, Texas State Nurses Association

• Mary Sletten, DM(c), MSN, RN, President, New Mexico State Nurses Association

• Leslie Verucci, MSN, RN, CNS, CRNP, APRN-BC, President, Delaware State Nurses Association

• Norine Watson, MSN, RN, NEA-BC, Nemours/Alfred I . DuPont Hospital for Children

• Roberta Young, MSN, RN, President, North Dakota Nurses Association

Inducted into the Louisiana Nurses Foundation Hall of Fame were: Sheila Allen, Baton Rouge District; Nita Green, Ruston District; and Marilyn Sullivan, Northshore District .

There were forty-eight registered nurses nominated in individual award categories; with five schools of Nursing and eight hospitals and healthcare facilities from Louisiana completing the list of nominees . A select panel of out-of-state registered nursing and healthcare leaders served as the panel of judges for the award selections .

The Louisiana Nurses Foundation is pleased toacknowledgeandcongratulate the followingrecipientsforthe2013NightingaleAwards:

Laurie Anne Ferguson, Loyola University New Orleans, Advanced Practice Nurse of the Year, Leisa Kelly, Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center, Clinical Nurse Researcher of the Year, CynthiaBienemy,Louisiana State Board of Nursing, Outstanding Nurse Researcher, Jennifer Gillespie, East Jefferson General Hospital, Rookie of the Year, Amye Reeves, Woman’s Hospital, Registered Nurse Mentor of the Year, ChristaWilborn, Ochsner Medical Center Baton Rouge, Clinical Practice Nurse of the Year, Lori Denstel, Woman’s Hospital, Nursing Administrator of the Year, Jennifer Steel, West Jefferson Medical Center, and Outstanding Community Achievement by a Registered Nurse . SandraChaisson Brown, Southern University and A & M College, Nursing Educator of the Year, GwendolynGeorge, Loyola University New Orleans, Nursing School Administrator of the Year, LSU Health New OrleansHealth Sciences Center School of Nursing, Nursing School of the Year – Entry into Practice Program, Intercollegiate Consortium (Southeastern Louisiana University, University of Louisiana, Lafayette, McNeese State University, and Nichols State University) for a Master of Science in Nursing, Nursing School of the Year – Advanced Practice Program, Karen Loden,Louisiana State Nurses Association Volunteer of the Year, and AlyeaMarniaMinter Pollard, Dr . Joe Ann Clark Scholarship Award

Primary Care Providers for a Healthy Feliciana, Outstanding Employer or Facility of the Year, Woman’sHospital, Baton Rouge, Specialty Hospital of Year, Lane Regional Medical Center, Zachary, Acute Care Hospital of the Year (61-160 beds), Our Lady of theLake Regional Medical Center, Baton Rouge, Acute Care Hospital of the Year (over 161 beds), AliciaPlumer, Woman’s Hospital, Registered Nurse of the Year, Alice Battista, Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center, Registered Nurse of the Year

Other nominees for each category were:

Advanced Practice Nurse of the Year: Laurie Anne Ferguson, Loyola University New Orleans, Clinical Nurse Researcher of the Year Award: JamesMaryman,Woman’s Hospital, Baton Rouge and Gail Tumulty, Loyola

Nursing School of the Year –Entry into Practice Program

Nursing School of the Year – Advanced Practice Program

Outstanding Employer or Facility of the Year

Acute Care Hospital of the Year (61-160 beds)

Acute Care Hospital of the

Year(over 161 beds)

Nightingale Awards continued on page 9


2013 NightingaleUniversity New Orleans, Outstanding Nurse Researcher Award: Nicole Square, Woman’s Hospital, Baton Rouge, Rookie of the Year are: Sara Cassagne, Lane Regional Medical Center, Zachary, Jessica Deshotel, Our Lady of the Lake, Baton Rouge, Bonny Fielding, Baton Rouge General, Halley Hayward, Lane Regional Medical Center, Zachary, Lateka Johnson, Promise Hospital, Baton Rouge, Brittany Jones, St . Francis Medical Center and SaraStark, Woman’s Hospital .

Registered Nurse Mentor of the Year: Lana DeNicola, Our Lady of the Lake, Baton Rouge, Jessica Ladraa, Lane Regional Medical Center, Zachary, TracieLecompte, West Jefferson Medical Center, Marraro, Marta Saterfiel, St . Francis Medical Center, Monroe, Clinical Practice Nurse of the Year: BrittanyCasey, Lane Regional Medical Center, Zachary, MiriamEverett,Lane Regional Medical Center, Zachary, Terra Hotstream,Baton Rouge General, Baton Rouge . Joni Lemoine,Baton Rouge General, Baton Rouge, Lori Liotta, Promise Hospital, Baton Rouge, Cheria Strange, St . Francis Medical Center, Monroe, Nursing Administrator of the Year: Jennifer Wise, Franklin Foundation Hospital, AnnaLeahCazes, Baton Rouge General, Baton Rouge, Anthony DiGerolamo, West Jefferson Medical Center, Marraro, Deborah Ford, Our Lady of the Lake, Baton Rouge, Kayla Johnson, St . Francis Medical Center, Monroe and Outstanding Community Achievement by a Registered Nurse: Janice Dreher, Baton Rouge General, Baton Rouge and Katie Sheets, Our Lady of the Lake, Baton Rouge .

Nursing Educator of the Year: Bronwyn Doyle, Our Lady of the Lake College School of Nursing and MaryOrio, Loyola University New Orleans, Nursing School Administrator of the Year: Keeley Dupuy, Our Lady of the Lake College, School of Nursing, The Nursing School of the Year – Entry into Practice Program nominees: Southern University and A&M College, School ofNursing, and The Nursing School of the Year – Advanced Practice or Higher Degree Programs: Our Lady ofthe Lake College, Nurse Anesthesia Program, Loyola University New Orleans .

Specialty Hospital of the Year Award: Lafayette Surgical Specialty Hospital, Lafayette and TheNeuroMedicalCenter SurgicalHospital, Baton Rouge, Hospital of the Year: Baton Rouge General Hospital,Baton Rouge and West Jefferson Medical Center, Marraro, and Registered Nurse of the Year: MargaretBergeron, Promise Hospital, Baton Rouge, Robin Booth, St . Francis Medical Center, Monroe, Lauri Garrett,Promise Hospital, Baton Rouge, Joan Griffin, Promise Hospital, Baton Rouge and BrandonO’Quinn, Promise Hospital, Baton Rouge .

On behalf of the Louisiana Nurses Foundation we would like to congratulate the 2013 Nightingale Award winners and nominees and we look for to the 2013 Nightingale Gala .

Advanced Practice Nurse of the Year

Laurie Anne Ferguson

Outstanding Nurse Researcher

Cynthia Bienemy

Rookie of the YearJennifer Gillespie

Clinical PracticeNurse of the YearChrista Wilborn

Nursing Administratorof the Year

Lori Denstel

Outstanding Community

Achievement by a Registered Nurse

Jennifer Steel

Nursing Educatorof the Year

Sandra Brown

Nursing School Administrator

of the YearGwendolyn George

Registered Nurseof the Year

Alice Battista

Registered Nurseof the Year

Alicia Plumer

Registered Nurse Mentor of the Year

Amye Reeves

Clinical Nurse Researcher of the Year

Leisa Kelly

Nightingale Awards continued from page 8

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2013 Nightingale

Dr. Katheryn Arterberry, FNP and faculty at Northwestern State University, Shreveport sparkled as the emcee of the Nightingale Gala.

The ballroom was filled with nurses, family, guests and friends celebrating the Annual Nightingale awards.

Alyea Marnia Minter Pollard accepts the Dr. Joe Ann Clark Scholarship Award from Dr. Cynthia Prestholdt.

Dr. Cynthia Bienemy, LSBN, accepts the award of Outstanding Nurse Researcher of the Year.

Board of Director members pose for a photo during the Nightingale Gala, from the left Norlyn Hyde, Cynthia Prestholdt, Rita Finn, Executive Director, and Victoria Johnson.

Pictured at the Nightingale Gala are LSNA Board of Directors seated from left: Nancy Darland, Jackie Hill and Carol Tingle. Standing from the left are Debra Shelton, Lisa Deaton, Diane Graham Webb and Deborah Ford.

Dr. Patricia Johnson and Administrative staff of Woman’s Hospital, Baton Rouge, accept the award of Specialty Hospital of the Year.


2013 Nightingale

Dr. Demetrius Porche and faculty of LSU Health New Orleans Health Sciences Center, School of Nursing accept the award for Nursing school of the year – Entry into Practice.

Drs. Barbara Moffett and Ann Carruth and faculty of the Intercollegiate Consortium (SLU, ULL, McNeese State and Nichols State) accept the award of Master of Science in Nursing, Nursing School of the year.

The award for Outstanding Employer or Facilty of the year was presented to Primary Care Providers for a Healthy Feliiana.

The administrative staff of Lane Regional Medical Center, Zachary receive the award for Acute Care Hospital of the year (61-160 beds).

Deborah Ford and administrative staff of Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center Baton Rogue, accept the acute care Hospital of the Year award (over 161 beds)


SHOW PRIDE IN YOUR PROFESSIONAND SUPPORT THE

&Monies collected from the plates will go the Louisiana Nurses Foundation

to support nursing interests and continuing education.The cost of the plate is $50.00 above the normal renewal fee for your vehicle.

This is for a two year period.

To order:• On Line: www.expresslane.org.

• Go to Vehicle Services: Specialty Plates• By Phone: Special/Dealer License Plate Unit: (225) 925-6371 or 1-225-925-6146 for

assistance.• In Person: (Baton Rouge) go directly to the Department of Motor Vehicles on Public

Safety Road just off Independence Blvd.

Be sure to:• Pleasebesurethatyouhaveproperlytitledandregisteredthevehicleinyourname.• Haveyourcurrentregistrationavailabletoenterandverifyvehicleinformation.• SpecialPlatescanbeissuedtoautomobiles,trucksupto10,000lbs.,andprivatebuses

(motor homes). Some Special Plates are also available for issuance to motorcycles.• Special plate fees calculated on the site are valid for regular license plates only.

Baton Rouge District Nurses AssociationWe bring you greetings from the Baton Rouge District Nurses Association (BRDNA) . This year we held two

programs . Our presenters were Dr . Sandra Brown and Dr . Deepak . Dr . Brown presented on a study conducted on HIV/AIDS and their risk factors among college students at a historically black college, and Dr . Deepak presented on percutaneous coronary interventions from a radial approach . We would like to thank these speakers for coming and sharing with us .

Our Annual Celebrate Nursing Banquet was held at PARC 73 in Prairieville, LA on May 6, 2013 . At the banquet, many nurses from parishes within our district were honored for their hard work and dedication to the profession of nursing . In addition to honoring these nurses, we awarded two scholarships in the amount of $1000 each to nurses pursuing an advanced degree in nursing . We would like to thank all those who attended and made this event a success .

CelebrateNursingHonorees2013

1 . Romanowski, Tanya OLOL College Baton Rouge2 . Carmouche, Melinda Southern University Baton Rouge3 . Doiron, Sharon OLOL Physicians Group Baton Rouge4 . Bennett, Allyson Lane RMC Zachary5 . Green, Susan Ochsner Medical Center Baton Rouge6 . Dominique, Jayne Ochsner Medical Center Baton Rouge7 . Denicola, Dawn OLOL RMC Baton Rouge8 . Serpas, Ralph OLOL RMC Baton Rouge9 . Caraccioli, Kahne Womans Hospital Greenwell Springs10 . Carter, Lani Womans Hospital Walker11 . Halk, Lane Womans Hospital Baton Rouge12 . Kelone, Karen Womans Hospital Baton Rouge13 . Meeks, Tracie Womans Hospital Baton Rouge14 . Plumer, Alicia Womans Hospital Gonzales15 . Roy, Leslie Womans Hospital Walker16 . White, Christina Woman’s Hospital Port Vincent17 . Vincent-Coulter Sharon, Southern University Baton Rouge18 . Kaiser, Keith OLOL RMC Baton Rouge19 . Batista, Alice OLOL RMC Baton Rouge20 . Sims, Shellie Lavigne OLOL RMC Geismar21 . Runnels, Heather OLOL RMC Baton Rouge22 . Spreen, Elizabeth BR General Baton Rouge23 . Aiello, Amanda BR General Baton Rouge

District NewsDid you know…?

❖ ANA’sWebsite,offersvaluableresourcestoourmembers• FREE: ANA’s Online Continuing Education

gives you easy access to the highest quality issue-based and clinical CE topics . Whether you’re looking to advance in your career, understand new laws and regulations, or simply keep your license and certification up to date, ANA has CE that will help you meet your goals while improving your patients’ outcomes .

• Please log in to ANA’s website, http://www .nursingworld .org/, for access to many exclusive features and services for members . This includes access to your special MyANA page where you can change your profile, print your Member card, link to your state association site, access your special ANA groups and ANA NurseSpace .org and much, much more . Check out ANA’s Member Value Program! If you need help finding yourlogin information,please contact theANAMembership Department at 1-800-923-7709.

• Update needed to your LSNAmembership information?Follow thesesimplesteps…

1 . Go to: www .nursingworld .org2 . Click on: MY ANA (tab in top left

corner of the blue bar)3 . LOGIN – if you do not have a

login in name yet it is free to register .

4 . Click on: Modify Profile5 . Update with new information6 . Click on: Update Profile

❖ Pelican News, LSNA’s quarterlynews publication, goes to everyRNin the state.• If you are not receiving the Pelican News

and are an RN, please make sure your address is up to date with LSBN .

• Go to services at http://www .lsbn .state .la .us/ or call 225-755-7500 .

• Anyone may submit an article to be reviewed for possible publication . Please check out this page of the Pelican or go to our website, lsna .org, for information on how to submit an article .

• 2013 Article Submission DEADLINES (submissions by end of the business day):

July 12, 2013 October11,2013January 10, 2014 April11,2014

❖ Cruise, every year LSNA combineslearning with fun in the sun on the waytoCozumel,Mx.• See website for more details or page 13!

❖ ContinuingNursingEducation• Louisiana State Nurses Association

is accredited as an approver of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.


61st Annual National Student Nurses

Convention (NSNA)Submitted by

Kelsea Bice, Student NursePresident, Student Nurses Association

President, Louisiana Association of Student Nurses

Our Lady of Holy Cross College

On April 2, 2013, thirteen members of the Our Lady of Holy Cross College Student Nurses Association (OLHCC SNA) left Louisiana to attend the 61st Annual National Student Nurses Convention (NSNA) in Charlotte, NC . Prior to departure, the SNA Executive Board worked diligently to prepare a resolution to present the 2013 House of Delegates entitled “In support of an increase in exposure to spiritually competent care in undergraduate nursing education .” A resolution is a written motion that establishes NSNA’s opinions and position on matters that affect nursing students and healthcare worldwide . The executive board members researched current themes and trends in nursing education, and found little to support their resolution in recent research . This led to their interest in writing the resolution . Jacquelyn Martinez, SNA Historian said, “We wanted to do this resolution because nobody had ever done one on spirituality before; we felt that it was important for the future of holistic nursing care .” On Thursday, April 4, the OLHCC SNA Executive Board members presented their resolution at an informal hearing to the delegates present at the NSNA Annual Convention . On Friday, April 5, they again presented the resolution for official debate to the House of Delegates . After a heated, emotional debate, the resolution passed by a vote of 62% in the affirmative and 38% against supporting the resolution . This became OLHCC’s very first resolution to be presented to and adopted by the NSNA House of Delegates . SNA Vice President Christianne Bean said of this accomplishment, “It was truly a great honor to be able to be a part of the voice of our generation of nursing students .”

Also, while at the convention, junior OLHCC nursing student Kelsea Bice was campaigning for the position of Vice President of NSNA . Kelsea is also currently the President of the SNA at OLHCC and is the President of the Louisiana Association of Student Nurses . While at the convention, Kelsea spoke to several caucus meetings of state nursing student associations and ran with the campaign slogan “Vote Bice for Vice!” When asked why she wanted to run, SNA President Kelsea Bice said, “I wanted to take advantage of the opportunity to represent my school and state on the national level . It is an honor to even be on the slate of candidates .” After several days of campaigning, with 330 votes, Kelsea Bice was elected Vice President of NSNA .

This historical week in OLHCC’s history could only have been accomplished with the support of the faculty and dean of OLHCC . The Executive Board and SNA members are excited and honored to represent OLHCC and the state of Louisiana through their work on the national level .

COME SAIL WITH US!!The 2013 date is picked!!

November 7, 2013!

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CE program will be on nursing and the social media—still in the planning stages and details will be announced at a later date…but NOW is time to think about your travel arrangements!

Remember, you do not have to be a nurse to go—so bring your family and friends!!!

Prices starting at:Interior Cabin – 4A-C $336.00 per person 1&2 and $196.00pp 3&4

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time of booking (no name changes are allowed). Prices are subject to change.

Call Nancy at Travel Central for information on additional pricing options, upgrades, suite prices, etc.

• Depositsarerequiredatthistimetoholdratebutarerefundable(certainrestrictionsapply)ifyourplans change. Please contact Nancy at Travel Central for details on refunds.

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Addressing Health Literacy Through Patient LiteracyAllison Abadie, RN

Richshell M. Smith, RNOur Lady of the Lake College

Health education is an important component of health care services . With the many changes in health care, the length of hospital stays is shortened, forcing patients to make a full recovery at home . This is where health education plays an important role in keeping our patients safe and healthy . With any patient-provider encounter, there is an opportunity for health education to promote good health behaviors . Health literacy is commonly defined as “the degree to which individuals have the capacity to obtain, process, and understand basic health information and services needed to make appropriate health decisions” (Weekes, 2012) . The World Health Organization notes health literacy as a set of social and cognitive skills that impacts one’s ability to use information for health promotion, health maintenance, and for access to health care (Weekes, 2012) . In order to understand basic health information and services, basic skills such as reading, writing and numeracy are needed to understand health information like labels on pill bottles, dosing schedules, health insurance forms, and instructions for chronic disease management (Martensson and Hensing, 2011) . According to Weekes (2012), “assessing health literacy is important as it is known to impact health including health behavior, health outcomes, communication with providers, adherence to treatment regimens, and health care costs .” “Poor health status, adverse medical outcomes, ineffective management of chronic disease, and increased healthcare costs have been associated with low health literacy” (Heinrich, 2012) . Misdirected or misunderstood health care services cost the public health system $18 .2 million a year (Bryant,

2011) . The purpose of this review is to examine research literature regarding the need for improving health literacy among clients and to discuss the role of nurses in improving health outcomes for all clients . This review was conducted using the EBSCO, MEDLINE, and CINAHL online databases and the keywords: health literacy through patient literacy.

“Approximately 80 million Americans have limited health literacy, which puts them at greater risk for poorer access to care and poorer health outcomes” (Berkman, et . al, 2011) . Populations at risk for low/inadequate health literacy include adolescents/young adults, adults over the age of 65 years, people with less than a high school degree or GED, immigrants/recent refugees, racial/ethnic minorities, non-native speakers of English, people with incomes at or below the poverty level, and prisoners (Baur, 2011) . An article published in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine revealed a study that was done to reevaluate a systemic review that was completed in 2004 . The study included a total of 111 articles that were reviewed in order to determine patterns in low health literacy . The conclusion resulted in determining that those with low health literacy are more likely to be hospitalized more frequently and less likely to participate in preventive care . The study also found that those with low health literacy are more likely to not understand health care instructions, proving that factors such as limited education and reading ability may interfere with health outcomes . Low health literacy is also associated with poor adherence to medication regimens and chronic disease management . High/adequate health literacy leads to a better overall health status through increased knowledge about diseases/health . The client is empowered to make well-founded decisions that will lead to the proper use of emergency services and increase the use of preventive services, which

will decrease the costs associated with low/inadequate health literacy .

An easy way to look at health literacy is as “the sixth vital sign—along with temperature, pulse, respiration, blood pressure, and pain level” (Heinrich, 2012) . Just like the nurses assess the patient and their vital signs, they should also assess the patient’s health literacy skills . When assessing a patient’s health literacy, providers should also assess the patient’s barriers to learning in order to implement interventions needed to help promote an effective learning environment . Some barriers to learning include language barriers, low education/literacy level, decreased cognition, cultural barriers, and the health care provider’s tendency to overestimate the client’s health literacy level (Bryant, 2011; Martensson and Hensing, 2011) . Language barriers are something that causes interruption in communication, affecting health literacy . “It is currently estimated that about 55 million Americans speak another language at home and in this group, about 44% (approximately 24 million) speak English less than ‘very well’ and require assistance in some situations” (Yip, 2012) . Health care providers should ensure that language barriers are accounted for and that the patient understands the information presented .

Hispanic adolescents represent the fastest growing minority group and belong to an ethnic group with the lowest average of health literacy . Ghaddar, Valerio, Garcia, and Hansen (2012) conducted an online survey to evaluate whether exposure to a reliable online health information source, MedlinePlus, is linked to better health literacy among adolescents . The 261 students who completed the survey were taken from a cross-sectional random sample of predominately Hispanic high school students in South

Addressing Health Literacy continued on page 15

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Texas . The two instruments used to measure the students’ health literacy include the Newest Vital Sign (NVS) and eHEALS . As for the results, 56% of the students had heard of MedlinePlus, 52% had adequate levels of health literacy as measured by NVS, and the mean eHEALS score was 30 .6 (possible range 8-40) . The study showed that the students exposed to reliable online health information were more likely to have adequate health literacy . It is also suggested that the promotion of health literacy among adolescents may serve as a strategy for addressing and minimizing disparities and inequities in health outcomes by using their English proficiency, computer and Internet skills to help increase their parents’ health literacy .

Promoting health literacy among adolescents could be very beneficial to the future health of society and may contribute to the decreasing cost of health care . As researchers are forecasting an increase in the number of people with limited health literacy, it is critical that health literacy be promoted among the younger generations . This group will be future independent health care system users with the opportunity to develop adequate health literacy skills that will promote lifelong health behaviors and habits which will potentially cut future health care costs associated with poor health literacy levels . Health care systems recognize that adolescents are provided with greater access to the internet and that they rely on internet based services like online health services . With increased health education, risky behaviors like tobacco use, problem behaviors, obesity, and lower levels of health-promoting behaviors will decrease among this population (Ghadder et al, 2012) .

Increasing health literacy does not solely lie on the individual and the health care system, but is an issue for society as a whole when it comes to public health and finances . Health literacy is a shared responsibility between society, individuals, and health care providers . On the individual level, low health literacy may lead to medical mishaps due to inappropriate decisions in health care matters . On the societal level, it may mean economic loss as a result of expenses for health care (Martensson and Hensing, 2011) . According to the report Low Health Literacy: Implications for National Health Policy, “Low health literacy is a major source of economic inefficiency in the U .S . health care system” (NNLM, 2012) . A recent report (2006) gives an estimated cost between approximately 100-200 billion dollars annually (NNLM, 2012) . From these facts alone, one can see that the nation suffers tremendously due to a lack of understanding on health care issues . It is not thousands of dollars that are lost, not millions, it is billions . Economically, the nation suffers based on things that could be prevented if adequate

education was provided to patients with limited health literacy, especially in ways that they can understand .

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Plain Writing Act of 2010 was passed, which requires all federal agencies to use plain language when they communicate with society (CDC, 2010) . As the CDC further explains, “What is plain language? It is communication that your listener or reader can understand the first time they hear or read it” (CDC, 2010) . In other words, the importance of putting healthcare information into a format that patients can understand is of utmost importance . Every health care provider should first acknowledge the level of the patient’s health literacy . Simple language and open-ended questions should be used as well as offering easy to read handouts . All health care professionals should follow up and confirm the patients understanding of the information and skills . If we as health care professionals follow these steps for each and every patient, then health literacy would improve a great deal and annual cost would decrease tremendously .

Researchers criticize the health care system for placing the responsibility for obtaining and understanding health information on the persons seeking care . We as health care professionals should be held accountable for the improvement of health literacy . Nurses are expected to ensure the safety and respect the rights of all patients, including the right to health autonomy . Patients have the right to know and understand their health problems, health status, treatments, alternative care options, and have the opportunity to continuation of care . Nurses are not only caregivers, but serve as the patient’s advocate and educator . Our role as nurses is to assess the patient’s level of health literacy accurately, identify barriers, promote communication and education, and determine the degree of health learning that has taken place . According to Health People 2010, some ways to improve health literacy are addressing the groups of people with low health literacy by creating suitable written documents, using plain language when addressing these audiences, helping advance the reading and comprehension skills of these groups of people, adjusting health literacy programs in order to focus on improving the patient’s skills, and reiterating the knowledge by using repetition . For example, offering programs in multiple areas around the community (NIH, 2012) .

Poor health literacy leads to increase health care costs and nursing care is starting to be held accountable in keeping those costs at a manageable level . This means that nurses are expected to initiate cost-effective care through the use of evidenced based nursing research . Health care costs could also be decreased through the promotion of

increased use of preventive services and encouraging patients’ adherence to medical treatments and medications . Patients are to be empowered to make informed health care decisions as a result of health education . The ultimate goal that we must achieve is providing patient education and services that are easy to understand for all people in the United States . We must remember that communication is key! If all health care professionals participate in actively improving patient skills and confirming patient understanding of information, health literacy will improve overall (Health and Human Service) . Increasing health literacy can help minimize health disparities and inequalities within the community .

ReferencesBaur, C . (2011) . Calling the nation to act: Implementing

the national action plan to improve health literacy . Nursing Outlook, 59(2), 63-69 .

Berkman, N . D ., Sheridan, S . L ., Donahue, K . E ., Halpern, D . J ., & Crotty, K . (2011) . Low Health Literacy and Health Outcomes: An Updated Systematic Review . Annals of Internal Medicine, 155(2), 97-W41 .

Bryant, A . (2011) . Low health literacy affecting client’s ability to receive adequate health care education . JOCEPS: The Journal of Chi Eta Phi Sorority, 55(1), 7-11 .

Ghaddar, S . F ., Valerio, M . A ., Garcia, C . M ., & Hansen, L . (2012) . Adolescent Health Literacy: The Importance of Credible Sources for Online Health Information . Journal of School Health, 82(1), 28-36 .

Heinrich, C . (2012) . Health literacy: The sixth vital sign . Journal of The American Academy Of Nurse Practitioners, 24(4), 218-223 . doi:10 .1111/j .1745-7599 .2012 .00698 .x

Mårtensson, L ., & Hensing, G . (2012) . Health literacy – a heterogeneous phenomenon: a literature review . Scandinavian Journal Of Caring Sciences, 26(1), 151-160 .

National Network of Libraries of Medicine (NNLM) . 2012 . http://nnlm.gov/outreach/consumer/hlthlit.html#A2

NIH 2012: http://www .nih .gov/clearcommunication/healthliteracy .htmWeekes, C . V . (2012) . African Americans and Health Literacy: A Systematic Review . ABNF Journal, 23(4), 76-80 .

U .S . Department of Health and Human Service http://www .health .gov/communication/literacy/quickguide/factsbasic .htm

Yip, M . (2012) . A health literacy model for limited English speaking populations: Sources, context, process, and outcomes . Contemporary Nurse: A Journal For The Australian Nursing Profession, 40(2), 160-168 .

Addressing Health Literacy continued from page 14

President,Dr.CarolA.Tingle,BatonRougeDistrict

President-Elect,Mrs.NorlynHyde,RustonDistrict

Vice-President,Ms.CarlleneMacMillian,AcadianaDistrict

Secretary,Mr.GordonNatal,NewOrleansDistrict

Treasurer,Dr.DebraShelton,ShreveportDistrict

Chair,ClinicalPracticeCouncil,Dr.DeborahGarbee,NewOrleansDistrict

Chair,LeadershipandManagementCouncil,Ms.RoseM.Schauhbut,NewOrleansDistrict

Chair,BylawsandResolutionsCommittee,Ms.LauraTarcza,NewOrleansDistrict

Chair,EducationCouncil,Dr.StephaniePierce,NewOrleansDistrict

Chair,ResearchandInformaticsCouncil,Dr.AnnCarruth,TangipahoaDistrict

Chair,WorkplaceAdvocacyCouncil,Ms.FrancesFinley,AlexandriaDistrict

AdditionalElectedPositionsincluded:Chair,NominatingCommittee,Dr.JudithGentry,New

OrleansDistrict

NominatingCommitteeMember,Mrs.ShirleyPayne,Ruston District

Chair,AuditCommittee,Ms.DeidraDudley,NewOrleansDistrict

AuditCommitteeMember,Dr.CherylMyers,NewOrleansDistrict

The Louisiana State Nurses Association also wishes to acknowledge board members who are currently serving and have additional two-year term of service in office:

Dr.JacquelineHill,ImmediatePastPresident,BatonRouge District

Chair,MembershipCommitteeMs.VictoriaJohnson,NewOrleansDistrict

Chair,HealthPolicyCommittee,Mrs.LisaDeaton,Baton Rouge District

Chair,LSNAContinuingEducationCommittee,

Mrs.NancyDarland,RustonDistrict

StudentRepresentative,PresidentoftheLouisianaAssociationofStudentNursesMs.KelseaBice,OurLadyofHolyCrossCollege,NewOrleans

The LSNA Board of Directors and staff wishes to offer its sincere gratitude and appreciation to the following members who completed their current service on the LSNA Board of Directors:

Dr.DeniseDanna,NewOrleansDistrictMs.PatriciaLaBrosse,AcadianaDistrictDr.MelissaStewart,BatonRougeDistrictMs.DianeWebb,ShreveportDistrictDr.CynthiaPrestholdt,BatonRougeDistrictMrs.DeborahFord,BatonRougeDistrictDr.SusanSteele-Moses,BatonRougeDistrict

TheLouisianaStateNursesAssociationispleasedtoacknowledgeandcongratulatethenewlyinstalled2013-2015BoardofDirectors:


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